Travel Series: Destination Las Vegas!

Destination Las Vegas

There’s just something about Las Vegas that keeps us coming back for more. In a city where the possibilities are endless for dining, nightlife and attractions, whatever it is, we find that the entertainment capital of the world is the one place we continue to go back to and no matter how many times we go, there will always be something new for us to experience and recommend to you!

After a full day of traveling we were longing for a hearty steak and seafood meal. A New York City original, Gallagher’s Steakhouse is fittingly located inside New York New York casino. Gallagher’s Steakhouse in Las Vegas opened at New York- New York Hotel & Casino in 1997, and continues to uphold the long-held traditions of the landmark New York City location. From outside the restaurant, you get a glimpse of their Aging Room. This classic steakhouse, with its dark wood decor and bustling atmosphere, offers the finest beef, dry-aged to the bone. Our dinner began with the Cucumber Martini, which was extremely fresh and expertly crafted. The Platter was a healthy portion for two people with a combination of crab, jumbo shrimp and lobster. For appetizers we ordered the Chef’s Chilled Seafood Platter, the Gallagher’s Wedge and the Roasted Beet Salad. The Platter was a healthy portion for two people with a combination of crab, jumbo shrimp and lobster. Both salads were particularly tasty and a healthy size for a starter plate. For our main course and shall you say main event we ordered the New York-New York, which included their house-aged New York Strip paired with fresh Maine lobster, and the Split Alaskan King Crab Legs. The portions were very generous–you certainly won’t go hungry! Our steaks were cooked to perfection. The steaks come a la carte, which allows you to choose one of their many sides available to accompany your steak. We ordered the Roasted Vegetable Medley, Seasonal Mushroom Medley, and the Yukon Gold Potato Puree to accompany our main course. The seafood was exceptionally fresh. Paige was unable to finish her crab legs – which was a first!

Our overall dinner was terrific, served with the highest quality of expertise and ingredients. Our waiter was extremely attentive and knowledgeable, providing us with recommendations which made for an excellent dining experience! We highly suggest to anyone who is in the mood for meat (lots of meat!) as the menu is almost exclusively seafood and beef.

Thanks to the leading discount ticket broker in Las Vegas, Tix4Tonight, we were excited to be able to attend Le Reve – The Dream voted “Best Production Show in Las Vegas.” Providing visitors and locals with last-minute discount tickets to Las Vegas shows, Tix4Tonight has grown into the largest and most trusted ticket resource in town. If you’re not quite sure what show is for you, or still making last-minute plans for the evening, Tix4Tonight is a perfect resource for your party offering same-day tickets to a wide range of shows. Tix 4Tonight also offers discounted meals from dozens of top Las Vegas restaurants in addition to discounted admission to a large selection of must-see Las Vegas attractions.

With Discount Ticket Booth Locations up and down The Strip, we were able to pick up our tickets to the show at a convenient location with ease. We were overly impressed with their knowledgeable staff and superior customer service. With the wide variety of selections to choose from, it can be intimidating making a selection. One of the friendly representatives mentioned she had seen the show 3 times and gave us great suggestions and recommendations. We were appreciative of her honesty and expertise.

With their wealth of shows and discounts available for up to half off daily, make sure to stop into a Tix4Tonight booth during your next visit to Las Vegas!

Looking for a truly unique show experience? Le Reve, meaning The Dream in French, is located at the Wynn Las Vegas. There is not a bad seat in the house as this show is presented in an incredible aqua theatre in-the-round. From the minute the lights dim to the very end of the performance it was a visual spectacle of dancers, acrobatics and water. This is no doubt a show that you will never forget and high on our list of favorites.

Our night out on the town was nothing short of magnificent. Filled with sparkles, spectacular views, and VIP treatment, we had a night to be remembered. We used Red Carpet VIP – Las Vegas’ top-rated VIP hosting company – to assist with assembling our evening. It’s a grand feeling knowing that your group is in first-class hands and will be treated like true VIPs during your visit. We selected their expertise for our nightlife needs to take the stress out of planning. Their team was extremely professional, reliable, and knowledgeable of all the clubs in Las Vegas. Stacy with Red Carpet VIP was a pleasure to work with. She was in tune with our parties’ needs and expectations and definitely delivered. The entire night went off seamlessly without a hitch.

After arrangements had been made, a host from Red Carpet VIP contacted us the day of to set up a meeting time for that evening. Entry into the venue was seamless as promised. No lines, no waiting. We were thoroughly impressed with the level of superior hospitality and professionalism from our host, not to mention the guaranteed high level of service. It’s a grand feeling knowing that your group is in first-class hands and will be treated like true VIPs during your visit. We were thoroughly impressed with the level of superior hospitality and professionalism from our host, not to mention the guaranteed high level of service. Our night was nothing short of dazzling thanks to the impeccable VIP service and ambiance of the venue.

Red Carpet VIP arranged a table for our party at the Foundation Room, an ultra-lounge located on the top of Mandalay Bay that offered us unparalleled views of Las Vegas. Looking north from our table at the top of Mandalay Bay we were able to see Las Vegas like nowhere else. Seriously, did we mention the views? Our host checked in on us throughout the night, and the security deserves special recognition for going above and beyond to make us feel comfortable in a crowded venue. The outdoor table on the patio with the view and heat lamps gave us a unique club experience apart from the traditional stuffy nightclub. Looking north from our table at the top of Mandalay Bay we were able to see Las Vegas like nowhere else. The lounge provided comfortable seating. The staff were extremely pleasant and went above and beyond to make our night feel special. The DJ booth was located outside on the patio. He provided upbeat music that led us to the dance floor on numerous occasions.

Our night was nothing short of dazzling thanks to the impeccable VIP service and ambiance of the venue. The outdoor table on the patio with the view and heat lamps gave us a unique club experience apart from the traditional stuffy nightclub. If you are looking for a night to remember whether it be an elegant dinner with a strip view, or a nightclub with high-energy dance music, then Red Carpet VIP is a must for your next trip to Las Vegas.

Up, up and away we went onto our next escapade. Vegas Balloon Rides invites you to view Las Vegas as you’ve never seen it before! Their pilots are all certified, highly experienced full-time professionals which makes the experience go that much more smoothly. There was a crew of 5 including the pilot that set up the balloon in front of our very eyes. The balloon set-up process was very interesting to watch. Our pilot was friendly and welcoming; he has a wealth of knowledge and is passionate about balloons, and it definitely shows. During our flight we witnessed spectacular bird’s eye views of the gorgeous Red Rock Mountains and the famous Las Vegas Strip. We learned that our balloon reached over 1,000 ft. off the ground, which was comparable to double the height of the Stratosphere. We drifted silently over the city and countryside where we watched the world below us. There was a crew of 5 including the pilot that set up the balloon in front of our very eyes. The balloon set-up process was very interesting to watch. The basket comfortably fit 12 people. The highlight of the trip was coasting so low over the houses below that we were able to talk with envious onlookers on the ground!

After drifting peacefully for approximately an hour, we prepared for landing. Upon landing, we were treated to a champagne toast to celebrate our wonderful adventure. Before toasting, our expert pilot who was rich with knowledge and expertise on the craft gave our group the history behind the first hot air balloon ride dating back to 1783. What a great ending to our adventure. We would definitely go ballooning again with Las Vegas Balloons and recommend this as a must to anyone looking for thrills off the strip.

With a full day of adventure behind us, dinner at Andre’s couldn’t have come at a better moment in time. Legendary Las Vegas celebrity chef André Rochat combines the old-world charm that made his original restaurant famous with a new modern twist. This elegant restaurant occupies a two-story space on the Strip and houses a bar, a dining room, three private rooms, and a lounge. Andre’s boasts an exquisite menu of gourmet French cuisine, superior service and a sexy, luxurious and modern urban feel. Regal and romantic, this upscale venue offers a tasting menu and a la carte options, plus a cigar bar.

When we arrived, Andre’s planner Jana Southland gave us an inside look into the history of Andre’s with a tour of the full Restaurant & Lounge. She was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the rich history of Chef André and the establishment. We had dinner in the Terrace room which is beautifully decorated in turquoise-hued renovations, highlighted by floor-to-ceiling glass doors, antiqued mirrors, unique chandeliers, and gold and blue mosaic tiles throughout the dining area. Upstairs, Andre’s has a beautiful cigar lounge and culinary library. Andre’s Cigar Lounge and Culinary Library represents the first of its kind in Las Vegas and showcases Chef André Rochat’s personal collection of cookbooks, amassed over the course of his more than 55 years in the culinary industry. Nearly 700 books are on display and available for guests to read. New books will be regularly rotated in from his collection, which include more than 1,000 titles. Subjects include baking and pastry, wine and spirits, restaurant architecture, celebrity chefs and much more. The collection is the largest of its kind in Las Vegas and is ranked third in North America based on its size. Already considered a “hidden gem” by those in the hospitality industry. The intimate lounge comfortably seats 36 guests and also houses a state-of-the-art ventilation and air filtration system enabling cigar aficionados to enjoy their evening without smoke disrupting nearby dinner or library guests.

For dinner, we each ordered the Chef’s five-course tasting plate. The plate was made up of five small courses, from appetizer to dessert, on one plate. The wait staff tended to our every need from cocktails to keeping the bread baskets filled through our meal. Not a single detail was left unattended. Included in our tasting plate was the Herb Crustion Lion of Cervena Venison, Amaretti Crusted Cheesecake with a Black Currant Sauce and Pomegranates, Heirloom Beet Salad, Foie Gras Terrine, Oven Roasted Salmon, Pan Seared Duck Breast, Heirloom Quinoa Cakes, Roasted Cauliflower Risotto and Chicken & Broccoli Ravioli. There are not enough positive words to accurately describe the experience we had that evening. Andre’s menu and staff were beyond wonderful! Thank you for giving us a meal never to be forgotten.

When in Las Vegas, one can find themselves enclosed in the wealth of casinos, restaurants, and entertainment available. To broaden our horizons, we set out for the thrill of a lifetime – a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon! This unforgettable one-of-a-kind experience to the biggest natural wonder of the world was one of the highlights of our weekend. We were whisked away from our hotel in a Luxury Mercedes-Benz Motorcoach and transported to the Boulder City airport for easy check-in at their private helicopter tour facility. Our Grand Canyon West Rim Helicopter Air Tour included spectacular aerial views of the incredible Hoover Dam, Bypass Bridge and Black Canyon. We went past the extinct and colorful volcano, Fortification Hill. We then descended into the depths of the Grand Canyon. We soared like a golden eagle over the mighty Colorado River, past geological rock formations that span millions of years. After leaving the Grand Canyon, we passed other natural wonders, including panoramic views of rock formations of the rugged Mojave Desert wilderness. 5-star helicopters are specifically designed with forward-facing seats, providing passengers with 180 degrees of unrestricted panoramic views. Our pilot was extremely knowledgeable of the area and provided informative commentary and narration throughout the duration of the tour. Thank you for the perfect finale to our extraordinary Las Vegas trip!

There are a million ways for one “to do” Las Vegas. With its multitude of shows, clubs, restaurants and attractions (with more opening all the time), Las Vegas perpetually has something new and unique to offer. Whatever your taste, we recommend everything we experienced during this trip for a guaranteed unbelievable weekend. As for us, we’ll be seeing you again soon Las Vegas!